Dig uncovers remnants of David's palace near Jerusalem

JERUSALEM — Two large structures believed to have been a part of King David’s palace have been unearthed in a joint seven-year excavation led by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Israel Antiquities Authority, the two announced July 17.

The discovery was made in the site of the ancient city of Khirbet Qeiyafa, located southwest of Jerusalem and bordering Beit Shemesh and the Elah Valley, Israel Hayom reported. The city dates back to the early 10th century BCE, and archeologists believe it met a sudden end around 980 BCE.

Antiquities Authority researchers Prof. Yossi Garfinkel and Saar Ganor identified one of the structures as King David’s palace and the other as a large storehouse structure on the royal compound, which, according to archaeologists, stretched some 1,000 square meters (about 11,000 square feet).

“The ruins are the best example to date of the uncovered fortress city of King David. … This is indisputable evidence of the existence of a central administration in Judea during the time of King David,” the Antiquities Authority said.